Postgame Notes: Memphis vs. Navy

KICKING IT OFF
• Coin Toss: Navy won the coin toss and elected to receive.
• Memphis Captains: Jaylon Allen, Simeon Blair, Seth Henigan and Jacob Likes
• Attendance: 25,551

TEAM NOTES
• Memphis improved to 43-7 (.860) at home since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016. As a head coach, Silverfield is 18-4 (.818) at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
• The victory marked the fifth-consecutive win for the Tigers over the Midshipmen.
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 18 of its last 21 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 26 interceptions and 14 fumbles recovered. Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in 13 of the last 21 contests.
• Navy's first touchdown in the first quarter was the first offensive touchdown allowed by the Tiger defense this season. The previous eight-consecutive quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown marked the longest streak for a Memphis defense since at least 1968.

PLAYER NOTES
• On the Tigers' first possession of the game, they marched down the field for a 13-play, 90-yard drive (5:23) – capped off with a seven-yard touchdown run by running back Blake Watson. It marked the longest drive of the season for Memphis in yards and tied for the longest in plays. The touchdown also marked the fourth of the year for Watson.
• With 12:50 remaining in the first half, Memphis forced a fumble and defensive lineman CorMontae Hamilton recovered on Navy's 37-yard line.
• With just :23 remaining in the first half, the Tigers tied the game after stopping the Midshipmen on fourth down with a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Seth Henigan to wide receiver Roc Taylor.
• On Memphis' first drive of the second half, Henigan linked up with Taylor for a 31-yard throw and catch that set up rushing touchdown from the goal line on the next play by Henigan to give the Tigers a touchdown lead (21-14).
• Watson rumbled for a 69-yard run in the final minute of the third quarter, the longest run by a Tiger since Calvin Austin III broke a 69-yard run against the Midshipmen in 2021.
• Two plays later, Henigan rushed in his second score of the game from three yards out to give Memphis a 28-21 lead following the PAT by kicker Seth Morgan. It marked Henigan's third rushing touchdown of the season and sixth of his career.
• Midway through the fourth quarter, Watson busted a second run of 69 yards – his second such rush in the game. Watson ended the contest with 10 carries for 169 yards to become the first Tiger since Brandon Thomas (2021 vs. Arkansas State; 191) to rush for 150-plus yards in a game. In addition, Watson added six receptions for 68 yards to finish with 237 combined yards and the game. It marked his 10^th-career 100-yard rushing game (146 yards in the second half).
• Henigan ended the game 23-of-35 passing for 218 yards, a touchdown and two additional rushing touchdowns.
• Taylor matched a career-high six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
• Wide receiver Joseph Scates also matched a career high with five receptions (31 yards).
• Linebacker Chandler Martin recorded a game-high nine stops (1 TFL).
• Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku made eight tackles, including one for a loss, and forced a fumble.
• Defensive lineman Josh Ellison was in on a career-high seven tackles and had the lone sack for the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
• Defensive lineman Jaylon Allen had a season-high seven stops and recovered a fumble.
• Defensive back DeAgo Brumfield (five total tackles) and defensive lineman Hank Pearson (four total) each recorded a TFL.
• Defensive back Simeon Blair made four tackles and forced a fumble.
• Kicker Seth Morgan has connected on 83-consecutive PAT dating back to his time at Sam Houston.

Players Mentioned

Jaylon Allen

Simeon Blair

DeAgo Brumfield

Geoffrey Cantin-Arku

Josh Ellison

Cormontae Hamilton

Seth Henigan

Jacob Likes

Chandler Martin

Seth Morgan

Hank Pearson

Joseph Scates

Roc Taylor

Brandon Thomas

Blake Watson

University of Memphis Athletics